Barcelona is in a do-or-die situation at the Giuseppe Meazza in the 2nd leg of the Champions League semifinal. After a 3-3 dramatic draw in the first leg, Hansi Flick’s men now have to be at their very best to beat the Italian side. Hansi Flick himself will need to make some tactical tweaks to emerge victorious from this tie.
How to stop Inter’s attack
Inter Milan is expected to try the same tactics as in the first leg when attacking. Inzaghi’s midfield will try to play combinations among them to evade Barcelona’s press and play a long ball over their high line for attackers to chase. Barella and Dumfries on the right and Dimarco and Mkhitaryan on the left will try to form 2v1 situations vs Barça’s fullbacks. Martinez and Eric Garcia will have to be on their toes to deal with any danger. Sometimes, the pressure from Barcelona’s forwards leaves space in the midfield that an opposition player can fill and play dangerous balls forward. Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Olmo will not only have to be dominant on the ball but also provide a relentless work rate off the ball to avoid Inter getting comfortable on the ball.
Lamine Yamal the X-Factor
Lamine Yamal will be Barcelona’s key player in this fixture once more. There will be a lack of width on the left flank due to Balde’s absence, and Raphinia’s mediocrity when it comes to taking on defenders in a low-block. Barcelona will have to focus on attacking from the right, where their Starboy Lamine Yamal roams. However, the youngster must receive passes in central areas rather than outwide. His plans to cross the ball into the box were futile in the first leg as he completed just 1 of his 12 attempted crosses. The outcome is unlikely to change in the 2nd leg, considering Inter’s record when it comes to crosses. Lamine was more effective when he received the ball in central areas or drifted inside with the ball.
Inzaghi’s men will continue their policy of doubling down on Lamine Yamal, and he will need a right-back who adds width and drags defenders to make space for the youngster. That is why I’m making a case for starting Hector Fort now that Jules KoundĂ© is injured. Eric Garcia is the expected starter in this game and is surely not a bad choice, as he will add defensive solidity to his side. However, he is not a natural right-back and will not function as good as Hector with Lamine.
A must-win game of the season for Hansi Flick and his men. The last time Barcelona were in the Champions League semi-finals, it ended in a 4-0 heartbreak at Anfield. Hopefully, this time, Barcelona will go through despite the adversity and keep the treble dream alive.